In Arizona, more than 100,000 children are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives.

Nationwide, that number is more than 5 million. Many parents are unable to take care of their children due to substance abuse, incarceration, mental illness, child abuse or death.

Grandparents raising their grandchildren must deal with school systems, health coverage, legal issues, financial concerns, and complex family situations. This leaves many of these “second-time around” parents feeling overwhelmed.

By providing support to grandparents and other relative caregivers, Duet help keep children out of foster care.
View a free guide on raising your grandchildren

How Duet can Help

• Support groups
• Workshops
• Group activities for families
• Respite assistance
• Legal guidance
• Information and referral

Grandparent Support Groups

Grandparents who have the primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren often face many challenges. Our support groups give you a place to share experiences, network with others, and find workable solutions to the challenges ahead.
View Duet’s support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren

Workshops

We provide educational workshops and seminars that focus on the special needs of grandparents raising grandchildren. Check our calendar frequently.

Topics include:

• Financial literacy
• Advocating for the needs of your family
• Guardianship and adoption
• Grandparents as community leaders
• Substance abuse awareness

Group Activities For Families

We offer encouragement and support to children who are adjusting to their new living situations. We host monthly family activities so children who are being raised by a grandparent or other relative can meet and socialize with other children in similar circumstances. Reservations are required for these group activities.

Respite Assistance

Do you want to enroll your grandchild in classes, camps, and after school activities ~ but don’t have the financial resources? If so, we may be able to help. Through our respite assistance, we may pay for a portion or all of the registration fees. We know these activities benefit you and your grandchildren.
Learn more about respite assistance

Legal Guidance

Many grandparents assume parenting responsibilities for a short time while their adult child “gets it together.” However, raising grandchildren without some form of legal custody can be challenging.

We help determine and offer:

• Legal options for grandparents in Maricopa County
• Legal guidance and assistance

Information and Referral

Wondering where to turn for help? We provide ongoing referrals and information to eligible grandparents who need support and services. We offer benefits and entitlement counseling to help identify the services and programs available to you. Call us for one-on-one assistance.
Read our Grandparents’ Guide in English or Spanish

Recreational Opportunities

We provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities for grandparents and their grandchildren to meet others in similar situations. We also give grandparents a chance to simply “be grandparents” and participate in fun activities with their grandchildren.
See our upcoming events

What is respite assistance?

Because grandparents raising their grandchildren take on parental duties, they don’t get much of a “break” from the daily work load. We understand the emotional, physical and financial challenges that come with raising grandchildren.

That’s why we have unique respite assistance for grandparents raising grandchildren. If you are 55 or older, we may be able to pay for part or all of the registration fees or tuition for various activities.

Examples of fees that may be paid as part of respite assistance:

• Summer camps or day camps
• After school activities
• Various types of lessons
• Enrichment classes

Be prepared to:

• Show legal custody, such as guardianship, non-parent custody, etc. for your grandchildren.
• Answer questions about your unique situation. (about a 30 minute process)
• Give the name of the agency that will be providing respite service. (We will not reimburse grandparents who have pre-paid for programs.)
• Give the provider’s full address, phone number and name of a contact person.
• Give the start and end dates for the program, and class frequency (i.e. Mon. & Wed.)
• Wait five business days to process your request. No exceptions!

Contact Duet to get started

Support Groups

View current calendar for best information

East Valley

Bethlehem Lutheran Church
2745 N. 32nd St. Ave, Mesa 85213
1st Thursday of each month
6:00-8:00 p.m.
(Childcare is limited; please call to register for
this group at 480-262-8154).

Central Phoenix

Church of the Beatitudes
555 W. Glendale Ave, Lounge, Phoenix 85021
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
9:00-11:00 a.m.

Far West Valley

Buckeye Community Center
210 E. Centre Ave, Buckeye 85326
4th Tuesday of each month
1:00-2:30 p.m.

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church
918 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear 85338
4th Saturday of each month
9:00-11:00 a.m